"Fields of Fire" (single version subtitled "400 Miles") is one of the biggest hits by the Scottish rock band

Big Country Big Country are a Scottish rock band formed in Dunfermline, Fife, in 1981. The height of the band's popularity was in the early to mid 1980s, although it has retained a cult following for many years since. The band's music incorporated Scott ...

. It was first released in the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

in 1983 as the second single from the band's debut album '' The Crossing''.

Music video

The

music video A music video is a video of variable duration, that integrates a music song or a music album with imagery that is produced for promotional or musical artistic purposes. Modern music videos are primarily made and used as a music marketing device ...

begins with a young boy playing with his toy train set. The members of the band are passengers on a train that has left the railway station and are seen playing their instruments inside their train coach. After going through a tunnel, the train is stopped because a

Scotsman The Scots ( sco, Scots Fowk; gd, Albannaich) are an ethnic group and nation native to Scotland. Historically, they emerged in the early Middle Ages from an amalgamation of two Celtic-speaking peoples, the Picts and Gaels, who founded ...

is playing the bagpipes on the railway line. The band then leave their carriage and follow the Scotsman to find themselves watching a First World War Battle in which the band members themselves are taking part.

Reception

The song was a big hit, introducing the band to mainstream audiences in the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territori ...

in 1984 and reaching the top ten in the

UK Singles Chart The UK Singles Chart (currently titled Official Singles Chart, with the upper section more commonly known as the Official UK Top 40) is compiled by the Official Charts Company (OCC), on behalf of the British record industry, listing the top-s ...

. On their album review of ''The Crossing'', ''

Rolling Stone ''Rolling Stone'' is an American monthly magazine that focuses on music, politics, and popular culture. It was founded in San Francisco, California, in 1967 by Jann Wenner, and the music critic Ralph J. Gleason. It was first known for its ...

'' noted that the song was ''"one of the great, resounding anthems of this or any other year"'' and praised the ''"bagpipelike single-string riffs"''. Big Country's bassist Tony Butler has also claimed this song to be one of his favourites. '' Cash Box'' said that "a nod to the homeland discernable in the repetition of a familiar Scottish folk theme in the guitar instrumental segments again positions this band’s offering in its own musical territory."

Chart positions

Credits

*Music and lyrics:

Stuart Adamson William Stuart Adamson (11 April 1958 – 16 December 2001) was a Scottish rock guitarist and singer. Adamson began his career in the late 1970s as a founding member and performer with the punk rock band Skids. After leaving Skids in 1981, he ...

, Bruce Watson,

Mark Brzezicki Mark Michael Brzezicki ( , ; born 21 June 1957) is an English musician, best known as the drummer for the Scottish rock band Big Country. He has also played with the Cult, Ultravox, From the Jam, Procol Harum, Rick Astley, the Crazy World of ...

, Tony Butler *Production:

Steve Lillywhite Stephen Alan Lillywhite, (born 15 March 1955) is a British record producer. Since he began his career in 1977, Lillywhite has been credited on over 500 records, and has collaborated with a variety of musicians including new wave acts XTC, Bi ...

Compilation album usage

The song has been included on several notable compilation albums since its release. For instance, in 1992, the track was included on the '' Time Life:The Rock Collection-Hot Rock'' release, and in 1997, the long-running '' The Best... Album in the World...Ever!'' compilation album brand included the song on their ''The Best Scottish Album in the World... Ever!'' release.

References

External links

Big Country's Official Website
Retrieved May 2009 {{authority control 1983 singles Big Country songs Song recordings produced by Steve Lillywhite Songs written by Stuart Adamson Songs written by Mark Brzezicki Songs written by Tony Butler (musician) Songs written by Bruce Watson (guitarist) 1983 songs Mercury Records singles